One-Stitch Versus Traditional Ileostomy After Low Anterior Resection for Rectal Cancer: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background and Objectives: Diverting ileostomy is frequently used after low anterior resection (LAR) for rectal cancer to mitigate the clinical consequences of anastomotic leakage. The one-stitch method (OM) has been proposed as a simplified alternative to the traditional method (TM), with potential procedural advantages. However, evidence regarding its short-term outcomes and procedural efficiency remains limited and largely context-specific. This study aimed to compare perioperative outcomes of OM and TM in a single-center cohort. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients who underwent LAR with diverting ileostomy for rectal cancer, between January 2022 and November 2025. A total of 67 patients were analyzed (OM: n = 31; TM: n = 36). Operative time, intraoperative blood loss, length of hospital stay, stoma-related complications, overall postoperative morbidity and anastomotic leakage were compared. Subgroup analysis was performed for laparoscopic cases. Multivariable logistic regression was used to explore factors associated with postoperative complications. Results: Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics did not differ significantly between groups. The OM was associated with shorter operative time and lower intraoperative blood loss compared with TM, both in the overall cohort and in the laparoscopic-only subgroup. No statistically significant differences were observed between OM and TM regarding stoma-related complications, overall postoperative complications or anastomotic leakage. Length of hospital stay was shorter in the TM group. In multivariable analysis, ileostomy technique was not independently associated with postoperative complications, whereas laparoscopic surgery was associated with a lower likelihood of postoperative complications. Given the limited sample size, the study was underpowered for infrequent safety endpoints. Conclusions: In this single-center retrospective analysis, the OM was associated with improved procedural efficiency but did not demonstrate a clear advantage in postoperative recovery or hospital stay. No statistically significant differences in short-term morbidity were observed; however, equivalence cannot be inferred due to limited statistical power. These findings should be interpreted as regional validation data and underscore the need for larger prospective studies incorporating longer-term and patient-centered outcomes.